The final event, hosted at the Hotel at Kirkwood was attended by numerous business representatives from all throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the surrounding communities along Interstate 380 – known as the 380 Corridor. Apache representatives at the event were President & CEO, Tom Pientok, and Marketing & Communications Manager, Jill Miller.

Awards were presented to 27 honored companies and organizations from the 380 Corridor, in 12 different categories. Recognitions were given for achievement over the past year, in a variety of categories including public-private partnerships, health care, and manufacturing.

Emcees for the awards ceremony and evening were handled by Michael Chevy Castanova, Business Editor at the Gazette, and Tiffany O’Donnell, current COO for Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC).

Following dinner was keynote speaker Mike Brown, the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Greater MSP (Minneapolis Saint Paul) Economic Development Partnership. Brown said a strong foundation has been key to Greater MSP’s success over the years. “When we were organized, we really worked hard to make sure we had the right people at the table,” Brown said. He explained how partnerships were built by leaders in the private, public, institutional, and philanthropic sectors. Brown said knowing your region’s strengths and how they can be marketed, as well as what can be improved are critically important.

Apache’s Manufacturing Recognition Award follows receipt of the Excellence award in the same category at the prior year’s event. Acknowledgements were given to the company for the kickoff of their employee learning and development program, Apache University, in late 2015. In May, the company broke ground on a 90,000 square foot expansion of the primary production facility at their headquarters in Cedar Rapids. Executives also moved forward with plans announced in July of 2015 and opened the company’s newest production and distribution facility in Dallas, Texas. Just a few months later, they further expanded their footprint outside the Midwest with the acquisition of Pacific Belting Inc., in Portland, Oregon.

About ApacheApache Inc. is the national market leader in the fabrication of hose, belting, cut and molded rubber, and industrial consumer products. A 100% employee-owned company, Apache and its subsidiaries serve customers throughout North and South America, in addition to Europe.